Black Faith Leaders to Corporations: Restore DEI or Lose Our Business

A coalition of Black faith leaders, led by Dr. Willie Wilson, is calling on corporations to restore DEI commitments or risk losing support from millions of Black churchgoers, who collectively drive $2 trillion in economic impact (Photo Credit: Tacuma Roeback).

Introduction to the Movement

A coalition of national Black faith leaders has launched an effort to push back against corporations retreating from diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. Their message: Reverse course or risk losing the business of millions of churchgoers. At the forefront of the movement is Chicago businessman and philanthropist Dr. Willie Wilson, who has been tapped to lead the initiative. Wilson says the goal is to engage corporate leaders in direct conversations about reinstating and strengthening DEI policies. If those talks fail, faith leaders will call on their congregations to take their business elsewhere.

The Economic Force Behind the Movement

Former Cook County Commissioner Richard Boykin, one of the event’s organizers, framed the effort around the economic power of Black consumers. “African Americans collectively spend about $2 trillion in economic impact in this country,” Boykin said. “There are corporations that have announced they’re rolling back their Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion efforts. Well, we’ve got great faith-based leaders who’ve come together to stand as one and make sure African Americans are being represented and taken care of.” The coalition represents more than 20 million predominantly Black churchgoers who have longstanding ties to corporations as employees, customers, and community partners.

Engagement Before Boycotts

While some activists have called for immediate boycotts, the coalition is taking a different approach. “We’ve come with a different strategy,” said Rev. Boise Kimber. “We desire to sit, collaborate, and talk with corporations so we may come to some conclusion on how we can work together.” The priority is dialogue. But if corporations refuse to engage, faith leaders say they are prepared to take action.

A Broader Push for Economic Empowerment

For Wilson, this fight extends beyond DEI. It’s about economic empowerment. “We’re talking about integrity, about principle,” Wilson said. “Nobody here is taking a check or selling out. We are asking corporations to do what’s right—invest in our communities, in jobs, in contracts, in education.” He pointed to stark disparities in Black business ownership, particularly in Chicago. “There is not one African American-owned gas station in the city of Chicago. Not one,” Wilson said. “There is not one major African American-owned building in downtown Chicago. We have to change that.”

What’s Next?

The coalition’s next steps include sending letters to corporations, requesting meetings and outlining specific expectations. If companies refuse to engage, Wilson said the leaders will act. “We will ask our members not to support those businesses that refuse to support us,” Wilson said. “If we spend $2 trillion and get less than a fraction of that back in our communities, that cannot continue.” While the coalition launched its effort in Chicago, the initiative is national. Faith leaders plan to take their message across the country, meeting with local pastors and community leaders to align on strategy.

Dr. Willie Wilson (Photo Credit: Tacuma Roeback).

Conclusion

The coalition of Black faith leaders, led by Dr. Willie Wilson, is a powerful force that demands corporations to restore their DEI commitments. With the economic power of $2 trillion, they are determined to make a change and ensure that their communities are represented and taken care of. The movement is not just about DEI, but about economic empowerment, and they will not back down until they see meaningful change.

FAQs

Q: What is the goal of the coalition of Black faith leaders?
A: The goal of the coalition is to push corporations to restore their DEI commitments and to ensure that their communities are represented and taken care of.
Q: How much economic power do Black consumers have?
A: Black consumers collectively spend about $2 trillion in economic impact in the United States.
Q: What is the coalition’s approach to achieving their goal?
A: The coalition’s approach is to engage in dialogue with corporations and to request meetings to discuss their concerns. If corporations refuse to engage, the coalition will take action and ask their members not to support those businesses.
Q: Who is leading the coalition?
A: The coalition is led by Dr. Willie Wilson, a Chicago businessman and philanthropist.
Q: What is the coalition’s message to corporations?
A: The coalition’s message to corporations is to restore their DEI commitments or risk losing the business of millions of Black churchgoers.

Tacuma Roeback, Managing Editor

Tacuma R. Roeback is the Managing Editor for the Chicago Defender.
His journalism, non-fiction, and fiction have appeared in the Smithsonian Magazine, San Francisco Chronicle, Atlanta Journal-Constitution, The Tennessean, South Florida Sun-Sentinel, Phoenix New Times, HipHopDX.com, Okayplayer.com, The Shadow League, SAGE: The Encyclopedia of Identity, Downstate Story, Tidal Basin Review, and Reverie: Midwest African American Literature.
He is an alumnus of the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University, Chicago State University, and Florida A&M University.